Lake County deputy charged with soliciting sex

A Lake County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with soliciting sex and obstructing justice, authorities said.

Deputy Eric Francke, 33, was charged Friday and released after posting $1,000 bond, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office provided little information about the charges, but said Mundelein police had been investigating Francke since at least early April.

Francke, a five-year veteran of the department, was placed on leave with pay April 11 after Mundelein police told his employer of the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office. Today he was placed on leave without pay, the agency said.

Francke had been assigned to the criminal investigations division, according to the sheriff’s office.